First Annual Talwani Memorial Lecture Honors Legacy of Beloved Physician

On March 7, 2025, the Division of Infectious Disease (ID) hosted the First Annual Talwani Memorial Lecture in Baltimore in honor of Dr. Rohit Talwani. Dr. Talwani, a beloved physician and educator, passed away on March 2, 2024. His distinguished leadership within the Division and tenure as Chief of Infectious Diseases at the Baltimore Veteran's Administration Medical Center (VAMC) since 2018 exemplify his exceptional contributions to the field.

Dr. Talwani was a renowned clinical educator deeply invested in the ID Fellowship Program. He dedicated himself to mentoring the next generation of infectious disease physicians during weekly sessions at the Baltimore VAMC fellows' clinic. His guidance and wisdom profoundly impacted countless fellows throughout his career.

"Thank you for honoring me by allowing me to present at Dr. Talwani's memorial lecture. He was a great man and loved by all fellows," said Dr. Afua Ntem-Mensah, the inaugural speaker for this annual event. Dr. Ntem-Mensah, a 2019 Division's ID Fellowship graduate, currently serves at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk, Nebraska. She was recognized as the hospital's Physician of the Year in 2020 for her extraordinary efforts during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The presentation, "A Rural Infectious Disease Physician Experience," shared detailed insights from her extensive five-year practice in an isolated rural county in the Midwest. Dr. Ntem-Mensah explained her sole responsibility as the infectious disease specialist for the hospital and surrounding area while confronting the significant obstacles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasized how a single ID physician can make a substantial difference in the lives of individual patients and the broader community while practicing in a rural setting.

The lecture series celebrates Dr. Talwani's memory by promoting the knowledge-sharing and mentorship spirit that characterized his outstanding career. Building upon this first event's success, Dr. Talwani's legacy endures with next year's planned memorial lecture. Division of ID will continue to honor Dr. Talwani's memory by fostering the same spirit of knowledge-sharing and mentorship that defined his remarkable career.